Otago coach Mike Hesson has slammed Auckland's negative tactics in their State Championship match that ended at Lincoln yesterday.
The match finished in the most tedious of draws after Auckland took the best part of two days to post a mammoth 627-7 declared.
After being in serious trouble
at 37-4, the southerners staged a remarkable recovery, with Neil Broom (112), Gareth Hopkins (139 not out) and Kyle Hogg (53 not out) taking Otago through to 348-5 before rain briefly stopped the match on the third afternoon.
Otago used the opportunity to declare, thinking Auckland would pile on some quick runs before leaving Otago a chase on the last day. That looked on the cards when Auckland went to stumps at 102-1.
That would have left Otago with an improbable chase of 381, a target they would have considered chasing on a pitch that was getting lower and slower.
But Auckland captain Richard Jones chose to continue batting for nine more overs on the fourth morning, leaving a bewildered Otago camp to ponder a target of 424.
Hesson said it didn't take long before they came to the conclusion it was not worth it.
Instead, they took batting practice, going through to 165-2, Jordan Sheed starring with 86.
"We were pretty disappointed with their approach," Hesson said. "We thought we might get a more realistic target but it wasn't to be."
Hesson stressed no arrangement had been made when Otago declared.
"That would be collusion and that's a no-no. We declared in good faith hoping it would keep the game alive. We were pretty disappointed that wasn't the case.
"If we had known that was going to be their approach, we would have batted on and tried for first innings points."
Auckland coach Mark O'Donnell could not be contacted after the match.
The controversy overshadowed what had been a run feast at the neutral venue of Bert Sutcliffe Oval. Some 1285 runs were scored over the four days for the loss of just 16 wickets.
Tim McIntosh (205) and Rob Nicol (160) laid the foundation for what was to come with a cautious 274-run partnership crafted in 85 overs.
The star of the show, however, was Andre Adams, who threw off the shackles with an unbeaten 117 in just 94 balls, eight times clearing the ropes.
